The Colorado River, shown out the window of my airplane in Figure D, is the heart of much of the western United States, so much so, that it is simply known as "The River".

FIGURE D

Flying along the Colorado River, Califprnia's on the botto, and Arizona's on the top, near Needles, California. Click picture for a larger image.

The canal system and the delivery of water to the lower delta area has turned several arid western states into some of the most productive farm lands in the world. Hay grows so fast in the hot dry climate that it's cut every six weeks, allowing 8-9 cuttings of hay per year. In fact, so much hay is grown in this region, it is exported to Japan via Southern California ports.

Since the turbulent main stream of the river changes daily, it has been difficult to control and put to any use. In addition, the 1,700 mile river encompasses so many far-flung regions, and has such different widespread physical and climatic conditions, it is divided into three distinctive sections; two watershed basins and one agricultural section.

The Upper Basin embraces parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The middle or second area, is largely a 500 mile, high-walled canyon region (Grand Canyon), while the Lower Basin, or third area, is located southwest of the Grand Canyon and runs through parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada, all the way into Mexico.

The entire Colorado River Aqueduct system is comprised of four dams, four lakes and an extensive canal system, known as the All American Canal. The main canal, along with it's feeder canals, funnel water to the lower agricultural area covering approximately 69,000 square miles of farm lands.

Lake Powell, with over 600 miles of shoreline, was formed by Glen Canyon Dam. It sits in the upper basin area and is located in both Arizona and Utah. The 626 miles of shoreline on Lake Mead was formed by the mighty Hoover Dam and is the largest dam and man-made lake in the U.S. Lake Mead is bordered on the east by Arizona and the west by Nevada.

Below Hoover Dam, the river creates the border between Arizona and California all the way down to Mexico. The lower two dams and lakes lie in the southern agricultural delta area. Lake Mojave was formed when Davis Dam was built some 90 air miles down river from Hoover Dam, while Lake Havasu was formed by Parker Dam. These two dams are mostly "check dams" that control the flow of water to Mexico. Because the water is released and controlled on a daily basis, the level of the water in the river fluctuates a great deal from day to day. As a result, the main stream and the ever-changing sandbars make the river very dangerous to navigate and the levees difficult to defend.

The temperature is a cool 90 degrees with an expected high of only 105 degrees. This is a very cool temperature for August in the great Mojave Desert. Usually, at this time of year, the temperature is at least 110-115 degrees. I have worked in these desert areas in the summer when it has gotten as hot as 135 degrees. Not fun when you are sitting on a hot piece of construction equipment in the relentless sun for 10 or 12 hours a day. I usually consoled myself with the fact that I was making lots of money, especially for a women during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.